Summertime can be a real test for your air conditioner and ventilation units. However, you can maintain your systems in order by following our summer HVAC tips. After all, the last thing you want is for your HVAC system to break in the middle of the season. You also want your heating component to be ready when the winter comes.
So, let’s see how you can preserve and maintain your HVAC during summer and keep it working for years to come.
8 Ways to Preserve your HVAC: Summer Maintenance Tips
So, how do you keep your HVAC in shape during summer? Here’s what you should do to improve indoor air quality and prolong your equipment’s service life.
1. Replace HVAC Filters
You should clean or replace your air filters regularly to keep the system running smoothly. The HVAC filters remove airborne pollutants in your house, and the more your units work, the faster the filter will get dirty.
We recommend cleaning your filters every two months. However, depending on the size of your household and residents, you may need to clean the filter every 30 days. On top of that, we recommend replacing HVAC filters at least every six months to maintain indoor air quality.
2. Remove The Dirt From The Air Ducts
The air ducts and vents capture ten times the amount of pollutants air filters do. So if you don’t clean them, the dust and dirt will keep circulating in your home, restricting the airflow in the process.
You can sweep and clean your ducts yourself with a vacuum, brush, and a lot of paper towels. If you don’t want to bother with removing screws and scrubbing the debris, you can alternatively call a professional HVAC duct cleaning company.
3. Remove Obstacles From The Vents
Air conditioners and ventilators shouldn’t be blocked by furniture, rugs, and other heavy items. This can obstruct the airflow, which will put a lot of strain on your HVAC systems, as it needs more energy to keep your home at the right temperature. In short, rearranging items can improve the effectiveness and service life of your equipment.
4. Clear The Outside Debris
Exterior components are a crucial part of our summer HVAC maintenance tips. You must remove debris around the outdoor unit to keep the vents unblocked. Plus, you need to clean the condenser coil.
To do this, you first need to power off the unit and other electrical systems nearby. Afterward, remove nearby leaves, grass, mulch, and shrubs. Then, you can spray the coils, vacuum the fins and wipe down the unit. Finally, let the condenser dry for a few hours before turning the system on.
5. Inspect The Wiring
The electrical components of the HVAC can deteriorate and degrade over time. You should check the wiring regularly to ensure that your unit works properly and remain safe.
Now, we don’t advise replacing the wiring by yourself. However, you can turn off the systems and examine the wires before calling a professional. If you notice blackened or scorched wires — contact a technician without delay.
6. Check The Refrigerant For Leaking
Refrigerants in the air conditioners continuously transition between liquid and gaseous states to absorb the heat. Without proper maintenance, the refrigerant may eventually leak from your AC coils, rendering the whole device useless. That’s why you need to check the refrigerant supply level and refill it systematically in your HVAC (in the summer settings especially).
7. Adjust The Thermostat Settings
Summer means later sunsets and subsequent swift in your schedule. Therefore, you need to optimize your summer HVAC setting to improve your comfort and energy consumption.
We recommend setting the thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (or 26 degrees Celsius) during summer. At the same time, you should program the thermostat around your schedule. For example, there’s no need for your HVAC to work at full force when everyone is sleeping.
A faulty thermostat won’t measure the indoor temperature correctly, which will affect your HVAC systems. So, we advise getting the thermostat checked up yearly.
8. Invest In Additional Tools
You can reduce the strain on your air conditioner units with accessories. They include:
- Dehumidifiers and humidity controllers can even remove excess moisture in the air and help you feel much cooler.
- Smart thermostats can automatically optimize HVAC settings for summer based on the outdoor temperature and your daily schedule.
- Saving blinds on windows won’t let the heat come into your home, making it much easier for HVAC to maintain the temperature.
As you can see, you can improve your comfort and reduce strain on your HVAC system with additional tools. Besides, these accessories will help you reduce energy bills in summer.
Conclusion
You should maintain your air conditioners and ventilation units during summertime to prolong their service life. With our summer HVAC tips, you can ensure that your system works at full capacity even without professional help!
Blackhawk Supply offers a wide variety of premium HVAC equipment to help you improve your indoor air quality. Feel free to browse through our store — you’re guaranteed to find what you’re looking for!
